Opinions on the Springfield M1A Scout? Range Report!

[A10]

My Uncle is seeing fit to return some of my hard earned cash to me this year, and I'm considering investing in a Scout. The Interwebs seem full of......um......opinions, most of them appear to be written by people living in their mom's basement and playing too much Halo. Anyone here have one? What is your opinion? How is the workmanship and accuracy? Would you buy one again, or go a different route? Did you mount optics, and if so, what was your choice and why? What loads give you your best performance?

Thanks in advance for your help. I don't want to drop that kind of cash and get a bunch of surprises.

 

[phonejack]

When I had M1A's I tried mounting a scope, didn't like the bolt on the side of the receiver style. Unless you use some type of riser on the stock your cheek will be high off the stock. Keep in mind the bare bones unloaded rifle will weigh about 8 1/2 lbs unloaded. "Pogo sticks" are fun to shoot!

 

[steveno]

I have shot a Springfield M1A and yes it is a little on the heavy side but if I had choice between an AR-308 and the M1A I would take the M1A. it just feels more comfortable shouldering it. I think the short versions of the M1a look really neat but I would bet they are really loud also

 

[Scott E White]

...I'm considering investing in a Scout. Anyone here have one? What is your opinion? How is the workmanship and accuracy? Would you buy one again, or go a different route? Did you mount optics, and if so, what was your choice and why? What loads give you your best performance

If your experience leads you to the shortened .308/7.62 M-1A Scout, I believe you'll be pleased overall, although it may not be your cup of tea if you walk in to one blind.

The Scout is my personal-favorite version for casual plinking, and I've owned one & shot a few others. Compact for it's lineage, the Scout is heavier than it looks. Add a scope on the supplied/mounted pic rail, and it gets even heavier. Workmanship is pretty good overall, considering the fact that it's not meant to be "pretty", but functional.

An extended-eye relief, low magnification scope suits the carbine well. I still prefer the open/apeture sights for my casual applications. Accuracy is very satisfactory for all field conditions, although it's probably not the best for any type of match or competition work. Never working-up a load for my specific rifle, it shot as poorly as 2 1/2", and as well as 1 1/4" groups (10 shot, benched) with some I had loaded for other .308s I have. These were tested with a 2.5-8x Pentax EER I owned at the time, and promptly removed after load selection.

I would own another, if I could justify the current $1,500.00 market price, among the several other .308s I already own & value more highly.

Good luck, and good shooting!

 

[Grayfox]

I have owned an old Federal Ordinance M14A for many years and a few years ago bought a Springfield Socom 16.
The Socom is an outstanding rifle, but I do kinda wish I'd gone with the Scout Squad rifle instead.
The full size rifle is a bit long and awkward. But would be the best choice if you're looking for a long range target rifle.
The Socom is at its best in the self defense/ CQB role.
But I do believe that if you're only going to have one M1A type rifle as an all around, do-it-all gun that the Scout Squad equipt with a fairly low maginification EER scope would be an excellent choice.
BTW: Springfield is doing a promotion right now. Buy any M1A by April 30 and get 3 20 round mags free.

 

[jack the toad]

Am not an expert but I like the M1A platform in the standard length and Scout. The SOCOM is a little much (too short) for me.
I prefer open sights rather than scoped, but if you go the optic route, a cheek piece (lace on works) helps with cheek weld, etc.
In my limited experience, the SADLAK mount seems to work good. The ARMS does also. Bassett Machine is reportedly good, the Springfield Armory (any gen), not so good.
One reason I don't care for scoped M1A's is the empty cases has been known to hit the scope and/or mount. I think the ARMS seems to mount the lowest. I don't know if this would cause a jam of the ejected case but anything is possible. I've heard of "tuning" (aka; grinding) the extractor to eject more out than up. I knew a guy once that said he did this on a Mini 14 and it helped. Doesn't seem to damage the scope or mount other than in looks.
Of course a SOPMOD stock can alleviate both the mount and check piece problems.
Just my opinion.

 

[A10]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful. I am strongly leaning toward getting one as soon as the check gets deposited to my account. I may wait a month or so for the scope and see how I like the standard sights. Is there any real advantage to going to a national match rear sight on this gun? It will not be for competition, I plan on using it for plinking/hunting/neighborhood defense.

 

[A10]

Just checked the bank account, and my uncle has come through!WOOHOO! Looks like a stop at the LGS tonight! I'll post pics as soon as possible.

 

[jack the toad]

IMO and for the uses you mentioned, I'd stay with the standard sights.
Depending on the distances you'll be shooting, I may even be tempted to open up the rear aperture a little.

 

[flundertaker]

I had a scout that I added NM and USGI parts to as well as SEI parts. It was accurate and fun but was heavy. I prefer it to the socom because the scout uses the standard gas system. The socom has a modified system to accommodate the 16" barrel. I ended up selling my s out because I feel the AR10 platform is a better choice for everything other than nestalgia. Don't get me wrong, it a quality piece but is just a bit behind in the AR10. If nastalgia matters, then the Scout is hands down winner. Wood and steel is classic but weight, accuracy, cost, flexibility, parts, mags, optics mounting, etc all favor the AR10.

 

[Wyo]

I've owned a number of M1A rifles over the years. All were full length, all worked well. I used them for hunting, NRA High Power and general purpose use. I still have two but I've never owned one of the shorter models. Every one that I've owned has been extremely satisfactory.

My son is a deputy sheriff. He is issued an AR-type rifle for carry in his vehicle but he's allowed to use something else if he wants to pay for it. He chose an M1A scout rifle for duty use and never looked back. He chose the Scout because 1)it's short enough to stand on its butt in a rifle rack in a pickup but still uses the full length gas system 2) he is often alone, maybe miles from help and any trouble he finds himself in will likely involve multiple bad guys, vehicles and no help for a long time. 20 rounds of 7.62 with 5 backup magazines fills the bill nicely. 3) the rifle is wonderfully reliable and has the best iron sights out there. Optics might be nice but they aren't necessary. There are more reasons, but you get the point.

Buy the Scout rifle. You will not regret it.

 

[gunnut44]

Oh Ya you will love it. I consider it one of the nicest rifles made. Check out the aftermarket stocks from Sage EBR! I have a super match and the first thing I bought was a bipod for it cause it's HEAVY!

 

[lowriderfxr]

I believe you learned two things here.

1) The Springfield M1A Scout is a great rifle.
2) Don't loan any more money to your uncle.



Seriously, I have one and love it. I get a real kick out of the EER scope also.

 

[oneflycowboy]

I have the SOCOM 16. It's short and stocky and a little on the heavy side. If you are accustom to an AR, it will feel like a tank by comparison.

I have a Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm Scout scope on mine.

 

[A10]

I picked my Scout up tonight, I'll try to get some pics up soon. It has the green fiberglass stock and a fairly nice recoil pad. I plan on breaking it in before I make a decision on a scope, but if I do scope it that Leupold looks like the way to go. Now for more mags!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[ameridaddy]

M1A irons or scope

The M14 was my service rifle, and the standard (non-match) iron sights were fine for me. I qualified expert with the irons on a very worn rifle on a rainy day where we couldn't see any silhouette targets beyond 250 meters. I found a got a very comfortable, consistent spot weld with the irons, and when I was later issued a new rifle, it was easy hitting silhouettes with it. I shot 87 out of 90 on a pop-up silhouette course with targets popping up randomly anywhere from 50 to 350 meters. Anywhere within 250 meters, I wouldn't want a scope on man sized or deer sized targets. For smaller targets, longer ranges or old eyes, a scope would help, but you're going to need an add on cheekpiece.

I found the recoil and noise not bad at all, an advantage of its 22" barrel and the 9.5 lb empty weight. I loved it, and if 308 ammo weren't so expensive, I'd have an M1A with iron sights to blast away every trip to the range.

 

[Fishinfool]

I picked my Scout up tonight, I'll try to get some pics up soon. It has the green fiberglass stock and a fairly nice recoil pad. I plan on breaking it in before I make a decision on a scope, but if I do scope it that Leupold looks like the way to go. Now for more mags!

Thanks for all your help!

Good for you. You'll like it. A couple thoughts- Scope mounts, I like the ARMS mount. I have used it on both my full size M1a's, and it is a secure mount, with no brass malfunction issues.

A lace on cheek pad, like shown on one of mine, helps with eye alignment.

Magazines - Don't buy Springfield mags. They are $50 or so. Buy Checkmate mags for half the price. They are the supplier for Springfield, and are current military issue.

Shooting factory loads, Prvi 168 grain match have been just as accurate in mine as Federal Gold Medal, but about $8 - $10 bucks cheaper a box, and the brass is excellent quality for reloading.

Stick to a medium burn rate powder for reloading. H4895 works well with this rifles gas operating system with 147 thru 169 grain bullets.

Larry

 

[eveled]

I believe you learned two things here.


2) Don't loan any more money to your uncle.

If you work and don't lend money to your Uncle Sam every week, they put in jail. He is talking about his tax return.

 

[jimbo728]

i will dare to pass on to you my hard found favorite M1A load. My rifle was a 4 digit serial numbered SA with a fiberglass stock and standard sights. It was used for steel comp at 200 yds and 100 yd deer targets and bullseye.
Most will raise an eyebrow but my favorite for comfort and accuracy.
37 gr of Reloader 7. 110 gr Spitzer. An MOA load with irons.
Best of luck with your new rifle!
Jim

 

[Triathloncoach]

I had a standard M1A until I no longer had access to an outdoor range. I love the big walnut stock and long barrel. I prefer this configuration to the scout. It just feels more authentic. But the Scout is an awesome rifle and I would like to have one.